If the report is true, it's noteworthy. The Eagles have maintained that they're not looking to make a major splash in free agency, instead opting for mid-tier options. But targeting Worilds would have run counter to that.

As always, take everything with a grain of salt this time of year. The truth will emerge next week.

"T.J. has proven himself to be not only an elite NFL safety, but an elite and top NFL player league wide which is evidenced by him earning both All Pro and Pro Bowl recognition this past season. With the passing of the franchise/transition tag deadline, we remain open to further discussions with the Browns in working towards a long-term deal and look forward to that possibility. However, if things don't work out in Cleveland, we likewise look forward to the opportunity that can coincide with becoming an unrestricted free agent. Several factors will be considered before making a final decision that will provide best for T.J. and his family."

Don't forget that the Browns under Mike Pettine could let Ward walk and instead try to sign Byrd.

***

And finally, a new free agent Pro Bowl (2011) cornerback has emerged. The NFL has reinstated Brandon Browner.

The 6-4, 221-pounder was suspended last season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The details of his reinstatement are not immediately known.

The feeling here is that the Eagles are unlikely to go after a big-name free-agent cornerback, but Browner's size will intrigue plenty of teams, especially on the heels of the Seahawks' Super Bowl win.

Byrd isn’t a hesitant tackler. He does generally wrap-up his targets. The problem is that he’s not forceful. To put it in football terms, he runs to the target and not through the target. He will miss some occasional tackles in space. Byrd isn’t the most active run defender on inside runs. He generally stays back to see if the RB leaks out.

He recalled a night in Chicago when he stood across the street from a known thug, who pulled a gun out of a brown Carhartt barn coat. Avant stood 30 feet away, under a streetlight. Somehow, the hood never noticed Avant and instead fired down the darkened street. "He could have hit me, easy, if he'd seen me," Avant said. "I should be dead."

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GEAGLE

You know DAwk was selling philly to Byrd, he been talking about how great he would be in philly for weeks…
…
Worlids, is represented by the agent that did the Barwin contract and the Kelce deal..no shocker if we planned on getting him signed to a Barwin deal, but I would assume that would spell the eventual end of BG

cliff henny

don’t think the issue is getting Byrd to sign in Philly, it’s getting Howie/Lauire to write a 5yr/55m with 30m guarantee contract. we know Kelly is front7 guy on defense. i’ll be 100% for move, but there’s more to it than just getting Byrd or Ward interested in coming to team.

GEAGLE

we won’t even consider those guys if we ain’t willing to write the check…Howie knows he ain’t getting no Barwin deal done with them…step up and pay up, or just sign Jenkins immediately…Ward and Jenkins is prob my wet dream….I have a feeling half the league will have 30mil waiting for Byrd, and it will come down to who attracts him as a franchise. This is elite player, money isn’t even a negotiation..pay, or move it along…like Peyton mannings free agcy…titans were friggin offering him ownership points lol, but Denver was more attractive, and Peyton could take the attractive destination, becaus money was never the question…you know you have to pay up if you want to steal a top FA at his position

UKEagle99

I get the love for Ward but I think Jenkins is average at best. He didn’t do much of anything until Rob Ryan came in and even then he missed a bunch of tackles and was hardly a ball-hawk.

GEAGLE

We can win games with him..not elite,mbut he ain’t Chung either. Don’t think we can just scoff at the best safety since Quintim Mikkell, I don’t think beggers scoff at a piece of bread…if we were talking about a normal position, I would want better then Jenkins, but we are talking about a position that has killed us for half a decade…Jenkins starts looking like Ed Reed when you been watching macho Harris

Token

So because we have been bad there for so long, signing a below average player makes us a better football team? Dont get that. A bum is a bum. Jenkins is on Nate Allen level.

UKEagle99

I’d rather bring Nate back than sign Jenkins, they are on a par but Nate showed genuine improvement under Davis and has a year in the scheme under his belt. Jenkins would be on his 4th d-coordinator in 4 years and played his best football when Vaccaro arrived but still was average. I just don’t see how letting Nate walk and signing Jenkins makes us better. Difficult position to get immediate improvement unless Howie splashes some cash. Best hope they uncover a Dawkins in the mid to late rounds!

Token

different isnt better.

I hate Allen. He sucks. But I dont see Jenkins as much of a upgrade.

UKEagle99

I don’t see Jenkins as an upgrade, it’s a side step at best. The problem is we have Wolff and Chung (I’m not even considering Anderson, Coleman etc). We need 2 more ideally and it’s hard to see where they are coming from. Byrd/Ward and draft one is probably the best scenario.

Marilyn Monbroe

Mikel was underrated in philly. Letting him go was almost as bad as Dawkins.

Nfl All Day

Agreed. Just like dumping Sheldon who played a few good years and EASILY could have converted to safety. Not everyone can, but his zone/tackling ability would have translated for sure.

travis papa

Worilds isn’t signing a barwin deal for anyone considering the Steelers just set his asking price at $10mil a season and he can only now sign with them.

Token

WTF is a Barwin deal? He got his market value. He wasnt a great highly touted player coming here. Still isnt a great player. Hes a solid guy. Lets stop using Geagle made up phrases. As if Barwin was a 10 mil player and his agent just loved Howie so much he gave him a big discount. What fantasy world are we in?

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

I don’t get it either.
But I will say I’d take Barwin over Worilds any day, even before considering cost (Barwin averages 6 a year, Worilds over 10). Don’t get the Worilds love. I realize Barwin saw way more action in Hou, but Worilds just never produced until ’13. Started 7 games in ’11, when PIT was a better all-around (and a great defense), and did hardly anything.
To me, he’s the poster child of over-paying a guy we thought we might want but, by November, we’ll be glad we didn’t sign. This year’s Ricky Jean-Francois

Token

I agree. They really wanted Worilds to work. They certainly didnt want to have to take a Jones in the first last year. They had other holes. But Woodley was coming back from injury and Worilds had never shown anything. Now they are stuck kinda in the same boat. They have nobody else to start assuming Woodley gets cut. Itll be Jones and Worilds. Im curious to see if they get a deal done long term or if they let it play out this year while drafting yet another OLB. Steelers have become a mess.

Barwin is a better player. Much better against the run. Sets the edge better. And they really probably arent far apart as rushers really.

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

I’d assume this is also the year they consider spending a high pick on QB; Ben won’t be around much longer IMO. Can’t take another OLB outside of a project, too many other needs (who is catching balls? protecting Ben? they need secondary help too)

Token

They need a lot of things. I really dont know WTH they are doing. Its not like they are contending this season. Which makes paying Worilds this much even more weird. They are too loyal to release a aging Polamalu.

Marilyn Monbroe

If ben keeps getting mauled every season then he has 2-3 years left. If their line plays well, he’s actually still youngand might have 5+ years left.

GEAGLE

A Barwin deal dear Rob, is a potentially expensive contract, but some PROVE IT dynamics as well…If a Barwin deal player we sign isn’t who we thought, we excersize the smoke and mirrors portion of the contract and abort the hell out it..but if the player exceeds our expectations, he gets to most likely see the majority of the contract and be paid handsomely

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

Ah.
I wouldn’t call it a Barwin deal, that’s just Howie do things in Philly.

travis papa

Easy friend by that I meant a 6yr $36mil deal that is team friendly and back loaded without a huge amount of guaranteed money. Just referencing his deal as a framework of which worilds will do better than but does not deserve. He is more or less the riley cooper of olbs minus the racist incident. Been in the system awhile but never productive til contract yr in a player friendly scheme

Token

More coming at Geagles wacked out line of thinking, not you.

G_WallyHunter

Lmao my creepy love letters written in midnight green, the funny part is these letters actually exist!!

GEAGLE

YOU KNOW!!!!

dnabrice

I think the end of BG was spelled a while ago.

TNA

It would have been pure negligence if Howie DIDN’T kick the tires on Worilds.

It sounds like the Browns are in a decent position. They have pole position on Ward and can leverage Byrd to get a better deal on Ward. Would it make sense for the Eagles to bait Ward into free agency? Sounds like there’s going to be a bidding war on Byrd, which would leave Ward as perhaps a better value sign. That said, one only has to look at cell phone bills and the price setting of Verizon and AT&T to realize that duopolies don’t result in great value or bargains. But it’s at least better than dealing with a monopoly like a certain hometown patron of the local baseball team.

GEAGLE

Browner? No shot. Chris cooks. 6’2 212lbs 4.4 speed going into his 4th season as a cheap option makes more sense…
…
Sweating out these next few days with Ward..browns exclusive negotiating period ends Saturday and we can make an offer…don’t sign your name anywhere til Saturday!!! Not even on a friggin credit card receipt

TNA

Browner on the CB market potentially lowers the price for Cooks, Shields, etc. It’s welcome news for the Igs.

GEAGLE

There is no market for cooks..he is a bust, flier type…but until I have to look at Curtis marsh and roc, I’m down e for low risk, high reward, former bust rehabilitation projects like Chris…but zimmer may want to keep him and make him his new pet project

Joe L

No ‘s’ on Cook fellas. You keep making me think of the Oregon St wide receiver.

Browner won’t get huge money though, and I’m sure whatever contract he signs will be incentive laden to protect the team.

NickS1

I’m probably mixing up names, but isn’t he suing the league because he was prescribed whatever he was taking?

Joe L

He got reinstated yesterday. He claimed they subjected him to drug testing while he wasn’t even in the NFL, playing in Canada. And apparently he had a case, because yesterday the NFL told him he was good to go.

cliff henny

will they time machine him back 4 weeks and let him play in Super Bowl? league rules, like cap and non-guaranteed contracts are what make the NFL, but they really do screw over a ton of players

travis papa

Browner is going to be low-end signing. He’s going to get an incentive laced low risk high reward contract bc of suspensions. It wouldn’t be bad to take a flier on him or cook but none of them will cost much

JofreyRice

He’s good at what he does, but he’s very scheme limited. He would not fit how the Eagles played last year. Needs to press, or he’s hosed.

GEAGLE

He will still have to miss games next year due to the suspension…YES HE is reinstated, but the suspension isn’t over for him.. I know that probably doesn’t make much sense, but I don’t think he sees the field before October! but I believe he can practice

travis papa

All that means to me is he will come cheaper and be fresher for a long playoff run. He doesn’t need to play here for 5yrs or even start but if he can contribute better than roc or whomever that’s what’s important. He would be another nice 2yr stop gap until we get some guys drafted. Fletcher & Boykin are the only 2cbs that have a future here on our roster

Token

Cooks is a terrible football player. Why do you keep bringing him up? O, combine numbers again. I see.

GEAGLE

Wards agent is Josh Arnold, president of synergy…represents Eagles Maehl and Keelan Johnson, so Howie was doing business with Arnold last offseason….but it was for low end clients

cliff henny

my guess is Howie’s worked with every top agent in the game.

NickS1

Not to mention it’s one of Arnold’s lower agents working with Maehl and Johnson, not the president of the agency.

GEAGLE

Not so sure…it isn’t a enormous agency with tons of big clients…Ward and the kid shareece wright are prob his biggest clients…Arnold is well versed in the cap and does well negotiating endorsement deals having gotten deals done with coke and pepsi

GEAGLE

Yes, the key is to pay attention, which agents gave us a headache, and which ones delivered us quality players like Barwin on reasonable contracts..but not to an extreme level…like Rosenhause has been a headache. But we still get ish done with him

cliff henny

be great, in funny way, if Howie had crappy relationship cause Maehl and KJ played hardball w/ league minimum contracts

My lord. It doesnt work like that. Business is business is business. Do you really in your mind think the agent gave us a deal on Barwin? Just said Connor you go here and take a good deal. I mean, thats some wacked out thinking.

Nfl All Day

That dude has an entire fantasy world made up in his mind where the crap he says makes sense. It’d be funny if it wasn’t so freaking sad:(

GEAGLE

Dude, does EVERTHING you say have to be some extreme, overly simplistic view of what I’m trying to say. I want to tell you something that will make u understand that I probably know what I’m talking about when it comes to this agent topic, but it’s most likely not worth it for me, so senselessly continue to talk shit and take an aggregated extreme view of everything I saw. Enjoy

cliff henny

Source sucks, but have no issue with Worilds. Going to go OLB shopping, Pitts the place to go. Eagles still can target, transition tagging means Pitt gets right to match offer. Eagles could make that very difficult. wonder what that would mean for Cole? i’d still look for dual threat LB in draft like Christian Jones or Van Noy or Shazier, guy not often talked about here, in draft. all 3 can be worked in as OLB in various packages and groomed to take over for Ryans. Plus, Worild’s not talking to teams as a stop-gap or to be worked in, had that in Pitt, he wants bigger role. Cole is 4.8m dead, but June 1st’g him is an option, especially with cap increases. he adds 4.8m to this yrs cap and clears another 8.5m next year. can only 6/1 2 guys, and ’15 has Williams Herremans and cole lined up, so 1 of them wont be able to spread out over 2 years. means 1 guy could go this year (and TH and CW make no sense this yr) and would have same effect on future cap.
.
doesn’t matter much to me, OLB and Safety are 2 holes, solve 1 in free agency. Kelly is a front 7 guy, still allows plenty of cap to take a Jenkins type, draft a Buchanon level to compete/work in with Wolff. different route than most of us thought, but if it makes team better, i’m good.

NickS1

Was playing with the salary cap on OTC, and noticed that restructuring Desean this year isn’t actually the smart way to go unless we renegotiate his entire deal. Before rollover we have 8.5mil (not including, obviously, any FAs/draft picks), and renegotiating/restructuring his deal next year, on top of releasing Cole (and maybe even restructuring Shady’s) frees up an additional 15mil (approximating). I bet that’s why Howie isn’t touching hasn’t touched Desean’s deal yet. Shuts him up, lets him make another almost 11mil then do something with this contract.

cliff henny

yeah, whole thing would be ripped up. whether call Jax a #1 or whatever, he has great value just by being on field. get him Peters like deal, just for 8m per, no need to have him B&M’g.
.
part about only 6/1’g 2guys was news to me. made me rethink our Cole/Graham convo’s.

NickS1

Which part? I missed that.

cliff henny

whether to keep or cut. since can only june 1st 2 guy, after that, it’s straight cut. we had CW TH and Cole all being cut in ’15, well, only 2 out of 3 can be 6/1 (I was 6/1’geveryone). so 6/1’g cole this yr, would have very little effect on ’15’s cap.

NickS1

Yeah, I’m trying to figure out if CW gets released after the year, eating the 1.666 in dead or extended and kept for the through ’16 for almost 5mil in ’15 and 3.25 in ’16…. 6/1 for Cole this year has same effect on next year’s cap as releasing him after the season. Rather cut/trade BG this year than 6/1 him.

cliff henny

1.6m dead is drop in bucket when Eagles will have 150m to play with. CW better have great year. too many Minne games and i’ll help him pack.

Token

CW is without question gone next year. No matter what. The real question is do they resign Fletch or will there be corner signed or drafted this year.

cliff henny

sure we’ll see a corner drafted and another batting average vet. it is a great way to build depth and competition.

NickS1

He’s 3.2 next year, I thought…. I mean, with CW, it clearly depends on who we bring in between now and then. He’s likely gone, just noting the opportunity Howie may see in his contract…. He had to play off the entire MIN game. He’s not a great corner to begin with but if you’re going to force him to play a soft game he’s going to get smoked.

cliff henny

he’s 8.1m sal, 1.6 dead. cole is 3.2m dead next yr, 4.8m this yr.
.
have to say CW is easily the most frustrating Eagle I’ve ever encountered. played a game within the game, just how pissed off could he get fans at him before he made a play.

NickS1

Yeah, think we’re saying same thing on Cole’s contract. Saves you 4.8 this year, next year’s savings is same as releasing him next year…. He is frustrating. No argument, but he’s made some plays and he gets in players’ a$$es when they F up. Hard to not like that.

cliff henny

yup. increase in cap, and only 2 6/1 cuts, have changed my thinking. I wont complain about upgrading/cutting Cole with FA and draft pick when before I was heavy on keeping Cole and draft pick side.

GEAGLE

Cary ain’t going no where…surprise.. Just watch. Dude is a dog late in the year when games matter(not including Minnesota where everyone stayed in philly). Expect us to extend/restructure him at the end of the year

cliff henny

maybe, but his contract is.

GEAGLE

Oh I know he don’t get to keep that contract. I’m talking a restructured short term extension..doubt we are going into a Super Bowl or bust 15 season, with a second year player starting his first year…I expect us to give him a short extension, that we can really get out of after the 2015 season, cuz by then a CB we draft this year should be ready to be counted on by a team that plans on contending…I just don’t know that a kid we draft in round 4 this year will be ready to be a better option on the field then carry in 2015, but 2016 Cary won’t be here..

Token

enjoy his last season.

Tom W

Great read on eaglesrewind about roster building and eagles philosophy. Dude improved upon what pff did by looking at time value of a roster.

Also agree depth should be churned if better under 28 fr agent exists if parting ways w player has little dead money and don’t need to overspend

That being said, obviously safety is easily taken care of in free agent w a midlevel to stud fa

But let’s say we only sign a Jenkins, what stops us from saying hey there are atleast 3-4 corners better than fletcher this yr … Let’s get a shields or Davis or browner and make fletch our 4th…. I mean if we miss on Byrd or ward and get Jenkins why not get a better cb1 … And make yourself better at 3 positions … Cb1 cb2 and cb4. Esp if shields or browner or davis only costs 7 mil a yr and verner is 25 and costs 9 mil. Not saying I would go all in but atleast float a value deal and see if we get any bites. Just a thought

cliff henny

yup, i’m totally onboard signing Ward or Byrd to a disgusting contract. but I can see value in a worilds/jenkin/shields combo. Howie can call that batting average, but that would certainly be a solid/substantial investment of funds.

could average 8m per on all 3, 25m total, and Eagles would still carry over 10m. since not top tier names, or on ESPN every night, Howie could call them batting average, but really aren’t. plus, I don’t get wrapped up in who, I many mean level of talent

Jerry Pomroy

Well Worilds isn’t going anywhere now, but I get your point. The secret to growth is diversification of funds.

cliff henny

Pitt can rescind tag. sort or difficult to see how they get under without cutting 3 guys. might of just been ploy to get couple more days to negotiate.
.
but I don’t care if it’s Worilds or Johnson, another significant upgrade on Cole(if these guys are even that-I don’t know) then 6/1 him or stick with Cole, sign vet who’ll provide depth-but not sure what that gets them, graham can do some things ok, and certainly this options comes with 1st or 2nd rd olb pick.
.
can see ways Eagles will be much better without having to break bank on Byrd or Ward. hope they make right call

GEAGLE

I don’t see it…Ward would be an addition that fits what we are building..I’m done with pricey corners..I’ll keep the sturdy reliable quiet Bfletch, a and the feisty bad cap Cary, until we draft and develop their replacements…if I have to wait for us to draft and develop safeties, then this will take a while…I don’t know Sheilds, I don’t know browner, but we know Cary and Brad! and I can promise you of you invest in safeties and front seven our cbs will be even better. We damn sure didn’t lose a playoff game because of our corners, so I see it as foolish to replace either corner with a pricey free agent

GEAGLE

Btw, to the fans obsessed with playing Boykin outside, shut your mouths about replacing Brad, becaus he can play Nickle CB just fine, and brads versatility is what I’ll allow us to move Boykin on the outside if he insists on it, which I don’t expect him to. Brad also would play the good soldier and play ST and sit on our bench as depth..he is very unselfish Avant type…so no reason why he shouldn’t be part of our future

anyone have PFF and can confirm Fletch has ever played in the slot? I don’t remember it at all last year Geags, but it’s the same as moving Boykin outside; why would you mess with a good thing? Boykin is clearly the better player inside, and Fletch does just fine on the outside.
The player most of us are trying to replace is the weakest link, aka the Lighting Fixture

JofreyRice

PFF has him at 9 snaps in the slot last year. Probably when they were in zone coverage against a twins set on the side opposite to Fletcher, I’d guess. He played in the slot for 6 snaps in 2012, for STL.

I agree that Fletcher is the better cornerback, my only concern with him is the health–which is why STL moved on. Missed 3 games due to injury last year, and that was a good season for him.

I’d love to see them add a big athlete or two to develop behind these guys. Stabilizing the center of the field would go a long way towards strengthening the overall pass defense.

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

Thanks. I also thought STL moved on in part because of the ’12 rookies, janoris Jenkins and trumaine johnson

JofreyRice

Could be a chicken and egg thing, but I got the sense they drafted those guys because they wanted to move on from the injury plagued Fletcher. Who really knows?

GEAGLE

No you are probably right…I mean, if we were counting on Benn to start at WR, I’m sure we would draft someone, no?

Nfl All Day

A big prototype to eventually replace Williams would be a great move. His money is gonna force a need to move on in another year or so.

Andy124

I know I read last year that when Fletcher came in as the 3rd corner in Stl, he played outside and one of the starters moved inside.

Can’t speak to how consistent that was or anything, I just know that’s what was reported.

dnabrice

Even lighting fixture had some great moments last year. I don’t think of him as a problem. Fletcher played better throughout the year as a whole. Depth is really needed for the position.

GEAGLE

Hold up…I’m always against moving Boykin outside every time we discuss it!! Always. You never seen me arguing for moving him outside. Not once!! Just pointing out Brads versatility

oreofestar

Why do we need outside when he is doing great in the slot why fix what is not broken

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

Not saying that; just asking for confirmation about his versatility, since I’ve never seen it

aub32

That doesn’t make much sense. You are buying into Brad and CW after just one year. This time last year you would be saying the exact thing about not knowing either guy. We used FA to upgrade our CB position last year. What’s wrong with trying to do the same this year. We don’t have Revis or Sherman back there.

GEAGLE

Actually this time last year my top 3 FA CB targets for the eagles were
1) Cary
2) Keenen
3) Brad
…
So I ain’t one of the fools who thought we signed sucky corners,eagles signed two of the top 3 corners that I WANTED so how can you expect me to not want them a year later, when continuity matters so much to me
…
I wanted us to sign friggin Cary since last october

aub32

Glad you got your chance to self promote, but that has absolutely nothing to do with my point. My point is last year we used FA to upgrade. Why is that any different from this year? Just because you wanted certain guys last year doesn’t mean there aren’t better options.

Jerry Pomroy

Exactly, we don’t have lockdown studs out there. We’ve got average to slightly above average CBs in Fletch & CW, that aren’t at a significant cost. So that allows you to add another player at the same level or possibly better, for roughly the same cost if they’re out there. At worst you’re looking at a better unit than the significant drop off after those two on the outside we have now. I’m fine with adding a CB in FA. But I agree with most that where we end up at safety determines what kind of CB we add.

GEAGLE

Do people actually think I Wouldn’t be jumping for Joy if I saw the eagles announce the signings of Browner,Talib,Sheilds,Verner? A defensive maniac like me wouldn’t be happy to add players of that caliber which we don’t currently have at the position? GET REAL, I would be soooo damn pumped to see us add any of them, but if I don’t see it happening, am I supposed to pretend? Think I want to be right about this? I can’t tell you how happy I would be to be wrong and see us add any of those cornerbacks..who the hell wouldn’t? But I can’t pretend like I see it as something Howie would realistically do

oreofestar

I would not mind it because who would not want Verner or Shields they are better than what we have but I would be more comfortable with Fletcher starting than Chung which means he needs to go, if you can sign a corner like Browner for dirt cheap fine but Byrd(and Ward) should be the targets

GEAGLE

If Cary and Bradley needed to be replaced, we wouldn’t have made the playoffs. We would have lost to Dallas, and even if they beat dalls, the saints would have beat us by two TDs…put enough talent around are CBs, and they will be fine til we develop homegrown talent we are paying cheap rookie money to

Jerry Pomroy

Your missing the point. If we aren’t going to add a big name or decide it’s too pricey, then we might as well take the money we had allocated for the one position and sure up others that are thin. Then it’s not about names, it’s about depth which is what you’ve been preaching about the draft.

In my eyes & from what I’ve seen and heard about the FO approach, FA is where you fill depth & patch holes. The draft should be to find your eventual starters, team stars & possible league stars. If a FA on the market is a marquee player, then they’ll take a stab. But if not our they don’t get see eye to eye, you allocate your resources to better your team. Would we be better than last year with an upgrade at safety, yes. Would we be better than last year with an upgrade at CB, yes. Would we be even better with an upgrade to both, yes. It’s not about names when the big boys are outta reach our not an option.

GEAGLE

I’m expecting us to sign someone we can count on to be thrown into a game more then Roc or Marshe, I’m just not expecting the 8million dollar corner people are talking about. I’m expecting another Brad fletch type with some type of wharts that fans won’t be happy with just like when we signed Brad. if I had to bet money on the FA CB type that we sign it would be a Brad type, Not a Sheilds type..but who the hell wouldn’t rather have Sheilds then another Brad? I would absolutely love to be wrong …and when we talk about spending big money going forward, I think we either go after guys or we don’t when we have 24mil to spend. I domy think it’s a case of if you can’t spend it at one position, then we will spend it on a top option at another position….basically if we want Sheilds, I expect us to go after him and Ward…instead of a case of if we can’t get Ward, we will spend on Sheilds…

GEAGLE

For example last year we made quality offers to Cary,Barwin and RJF. When RJF chose to not sign with us, we didn’t go blow his 20milliom on someone else at another position..what we did was settle on the stop gap Soap route and drafted Logan…we have money, you go after a guy or you don’t. If Ward turns us down, we don’t just make an offer to whoever the next ranked safety is…
Say Ward is #2, we may think #s 3,4,5,6 don’t fit our scheme, philosophy, or the price tag they come with and settle on safety number 7 and make sure we draft one in the first 3 rounds

GEAGLE

I can find much better ways to self promote then using two players everyone can’t wait to replace. Don’t you think I have made better calls then that? The point is, I wasn’t positing about how I wanted Talib last year, and he was a better corner, the point is, if I wanted a certain player last year, and I value continuity, and our corners held up fine in December and our playoff game, how can you expect me to want to replace them now?…I only typically talk in terms of wants that coincide with something I expect has a chance of potentially happening. I ADORE lamarr Houston who wasn’t tagged. He is literally one of my favorite players in the NFL, yet you never seen me write a word about HIM..WHY? because it’s a personal want that I think has no shot of coinciding with what Howie will end up doing, and if I don’t see any chance something happens, I don’t spend energy on it, and look to figure out realistic options, which I think has served me pretty well.
Think I would complain of we added Talib, Sheilds, Houston, Soliali, Dansby, Emanuel Sanders? I would be absolutely HYPE to see us add any of them, I just don’t expect it happen at all, so I try not to waiste time on them…but feel free to operate however you want

Andy124

Yeah, but we all know that was only because you had the inside scoop on his great taste in home decor and nothing to do with football.

UKEagle99

The problem is the chances of them playing 32 games between them next year, plus playoffs is slim. When you look at the guys ready to run on to replace them it makes you shudder. Unless they believe they can coach Roc or Marsh up or throw a rookie out there they need to pick up someone else.

GEAGLE

Agreed,doesn’t mean they have to pick up a friggin 7million dollar CB…Chris Cooks type, who has been a bust, but is experienced and hope we can coach him up. We will draft CBs…if we sign one, I expect another Bradley Fletcher type who plays st to sit on our bench….I honestly think Howie has no intention on spending on a top corner, and if I don’t view it as realistic I try not to think about it.mthink I would scoff at adding Richard Sherman? Of course not

Jerry Pomroy

I think it’s time for Marsh to move on elsewhere. Hasn’t shown anything since being drafted & frankly is a waste of space at this point. Roc would be fine as the 5th CB. But yes, they definitely need to add a CB. Hell they could draft one and sign one to replace both Roc & Marsh. Just need a better alternative after Fletch & CW, if they’re locking BB up to slot duty.

Tom W

What if we can’t get Byrd or ward is what I’m saying … Not looking at corner before them. They get taken from us which is very likely … All your are going to do is add Jenkins and a rookie and a chris cook to your secondary? What if Jenkins is just another Nate Allen or even worse chung like bust. We are left w crap in out hands.

GEAGLE

I don’t think we operate like that..don’t think if we miss a great player at one player, we go chasing great players at another position..I think we ain’t spending BIG unless it’s the perfect fit, and I just don’t see how paying 8mil for a corner at this point would fit the criteria of how to build a franchise the right way…just my personal expectations, but hey feel free to upgrade any position on defense that they want. Upgrade = Better, why would I ever be opposed to better? I just don’t expect it to happen, but you won’t see me crying if we add good players at any position. Jenkins is not Nate Allen…doubt Nate will ever be a defensive captain for anyone! especially at age 26…Jenkins just isn’t sexy, and doesn’t compare to the elite safeties, so it jades everyone’s opinion of him, but he is certainly a tier above Nate

Tom W

That is the answer I wanted bc I think it is strengthened by the fact that the eagles coaches know byrd and ward so it makes the move easier AND the need is greater there plus we have trouble identifying young safeties.

I guess I am getting screwed up bc of La Confora’s declaration that we were going after Worilids which really surprised me (although I realize most his shit is false). I don’t see Worilids as a perfect fit but a realistic fit …. and it would show we are willing to eat some dead money (graham this yr) and cole next year rather than address it in draft. Also worilids is better fit than graham now.

But I guess looking at Worlds is just an admission that OLB is one of our two biggest needs.

I was thinking that looking at Worilids means we are looking to make upgrades from average to better players for very good young prospects like Byrd, Ward, Verner, Davis, Worlds … .

but if they like Cwill and Fletch and think they fit maybe that is enough for now and draft replacements. Whereas graham and cole aren’t fits, but worilids is fit central coming from pittsburgh and ascending talent.

I dont necessarily want to go after a better corner bc I didn’t think our guys played poorly and I thought their play would be greatly improved if they had a high safety to cover their back and be trusted in dime.

But like you admitted, our corners don’t look nearly as good without a great safety guarding them like byrd or ward. while jenkins is better and a leader does he make our corners jobs easier — can they press more ? sounds like we can rely on him to cover some tes and slots which is a good consoliation.

GEAGLE

Jenkins would he the best safety we had since Quintim Mikell. He makes us better for sure, and I doubt a 26yr old team captain won’t fit in our locker room..but I just don’t see how Howie can possibly Not go after one of the big time safeties. I think he is hell bent on not paying monster money to a bad fit, so he is probably a tad bit gun shy..we probably miss out on some opportunities, but I don’t we will see any more NNamdi type mistakes..because I think he will only spend BIG MONEY on players that fit us on every level and he is afraid to misfire BIG, I don’t see how he can ever expect too many more chances to add:
1) Top 5 player at a position
2) our biggest need of like a half decade
3) and how many more times can he expect a shot at a BIG money guy like Ward, who 3 of his well respected coaches already coached? How often will the stars align like this? How can he afford to not aggressively pursue them. He fears the arranged marriage unkown in free agency, so when will he ever get another chance at a big player, with so much of the unknown removed? You can argue that it’s been years since Chip and Azz had Ward, but Billy Davis was in his locker room two friggin years ago! coaching the position group that played in front of Ward….think Billy Davis doesn’t know what he is talking about? How can Howie afford to pass that up?

aub32

You think Fletch would be the #4? I don’t think so. Fletch is a better cover guy than CW. He’s just not as boisterous. Plus putting CW at #4 would save us a PI or 2 a game.

cliff henny

2 bad knees. really like the guy, but cant go too big in relying on his health. happy we got a good year out of the guy

aub32

Wouldn’t that be when we go to the number 4? Bad knees or no, he’s a better CB. So he should be the number 2 guy until he gets hurt. Then CW can play until Fletch comes back.

cliff henny

true, sorry, misread your post.

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

are they still bad? i mean, if Maclin were to have a good year this year (akin to Fletch in ’13), would we still be saying next year that he has bad knees, and it’s only a matter of time?
Nothing I heard suggests Fletch had something chronic, like Polk’s shoulder. Not sure if anyone knows something different

cliff henny

I don’t know much about when his knees were operated on. one thing about Mac is his is nice and fresh. amazing how far that’s come in such short time. like Tommy John surgery. heck, if were Phils, drafted players would swing by Dr Andrews’ office after signing a contract, get it out of the way

Jerry Pomroy

All the more reason for us to bring in one of the better CBs on the market if we swing & miss on Byrd/Ward & end up with Jenkins. While we need safeties for sure, we still need depth at CB & I see no reason as to why we wouldn’t open up the competition there. We keep talking safety, because we assume we’re locked up at CB. That’s fine, we need some talent in the middle, but we need depth in the secondary period and right now we don’t have that at all.

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

this.
I’ve been saying since we signed him, it would be ideal if sconces was our dime/1st off bench, implying that a rookie (or less likely FA) steps up and can start opposite Fletch.

Tom W

Lot of money invested to make Cary the 4 or cut him w 4 mil in dead money. Next yr is a different story hence why I said make fletch the 4 or platoon them I don’t care.

And fletch can play inside or out

Token

This year not much is changing at corner most likely. Cant cut Cary til next year. If they sign a guy like Shields then either Cary or Shields plays as the #4 corner this season.

Cary will be cut next year. Fletch is a FA. If im Howie I plan ahead for that now. Considering theres a pretty decent group of CBs out there you may be able to get Shields at a decent price. Fills on hole. Then next year you either resign Fletch, move Boykin outside, or a rookie from this year starts. Easy.

aub32

Who cares about what he’s making. Playing should never be dictated by salary. What if Seattle thought like that? They would still be starting Matt Flynn. Instead they just won a SB because they simply play the best guys regardless of draft position or salary.

Tom W

Im w ya jsut saying that is why (like token said and geagle pointed out) we ain’t doing anything at corner this year because we have too much cash invested in cary to bench/cut him (and his play was average and could improve w better safety play) until next year and fletch earned his starting spot as a second corner. I guess you could have fletch and cary compete in camp for the second corner spot and make it look better if we landed a better opposite starting corner

Token

Dodged a bullet. I think Worilds is a average player. Not really a pass rush force. Showed zero until his contract year. Im kinda worried that he was a target. But at least it shows they were ready to spend money.

Eagles4Life

I am in agreement. I really don’t think he would have been anything more than a depth guy for us. Would have been a bad contract.

GEAGLE

Worlids is unproven..Howie would have never signed him to a contract without protection. He is done F’ing without a condom since NNamdi gave him free agent herpes

Joe L

They did have Woodley and Harrison manning those OLB spots for years to be fair.

Token

He got chances. Trust me, hes not great. Even this last year with the sacks.

Joe L

I never said he was great. But being behind two players who were very good sort of limits your opportunities. I’d say it speaks well that he supplanted their 1st round pick and made the most of his first opportunity to start.

Token

but you havent watched him. So conversations like this are kinda meaningless. The Steelers wanted Worilds to work since 2010. He got chances to show he can play. Never did. As early as this preseason he looked like crap. Started the season splitting time with the rookie Jones. And the Steelers NEVER start rookies on D. So they were splitting time and then Jones got a concussion and there you have it. Worilds gets 7 sacks in the second half of the season.

Think of it like…. would you say trent Cole rushed the passer well this season because he finished with some sacks? Well no, cuz we see him every game. We know 7 of the 8 came in 3 games against Washington, Arizona and Chicago.

Joe L

“but you havent watched him”

Glad you know what I have and haven’t watched.

GEAGLE

I would be more inclined to trust you if you weren’t the grinch who thinks everyone sucks..didn’t you scoff at us signing Barwin lol?

cliff henny

if not all-pro, that guy sucks

Token

Just watch him instead of reading ESPN Free Agent rankings. 10 mil is beyond crazy for the guy.

I lived in Pittsburgh for years. Normally I disagree with Token, but I can vouch for him on this one from watching Steelers games. Worilds isn’t worth the money the Steelers gave him. We’re better off getting our OLB in the draft.

GEAGLE

I have no oppinion of him..I didn’t watch the steelers last year, and I don’t feel the need to talk about something I don’t know.. I always said he wouldn’t hit the open market.so I didn’t waste time going back and watching his tape…so I don’t disagree..just taking a playful jab at my FRIENemy Token

Guest

Say the guys who thinks everyone is All-World. #BiLLyDavisistheBeSt

GEAGLE

Sorry that the media 365 days ago told you we had no talent on defense, by the time next year is over, every single one of the young players I praised will have arrived…how the hell could you use Billy Davis, the should he coach of the year as an example lol, doubt anyone who gets paid, assessed the talent we had more accurately then I did…apparently you missed the playoff appearence led by a bunch of young players…silly fool

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

all you have to do is look up his record.
Started seven games on the great ’11 defense. Less than inspiring performance.
Besides, aren’t you best friends with his agent? shouldn’t you know already?

D3Keith

I thought you meant Avant dodging a bullet at first.

Adam

LaCanfora has been wrong on just about every scoop he’s released the past couple weeks, and plus why would Howie feed him this stuff considering JLC is Banner’s mouthpiece? I’m calling BS on this report.

Tom W

Good call. banner.

Tom W

I am w you. I didn’t see it. Even steelers fans weren’t lauding him on their boards

Sconces

yet one of the best franchises in sports, who are low on money, decided he was worth their franchise tag

Andy124

I don’t follow them that closely, but the general vibe (around here) is that they haven’t been making decisions on par with “one of the best franchises in sports” for a while.

Right or wrong, I wouldn’t expect anybody to put too much stock in their moves right now.

Sconces

I’m just a little upset with how it seems a lot of fans don’t like the guy after Eagles (who were reportedly interested in him, and have been making good decisions I’d say) are out of the running for him

Andy124

Most of the people on here weren’t interested before hand. It’s been a fairly common topic of conversation. And the report about the Eagles interest is from about as bad a source as you could ask for.

I don’t know jack about the guy, so I haven’t and won’t have an opinion of my own on the matter.

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

^ this

a franchise doesn’t get that pass forever. The steelers are loyal, and have too many other needs in the draft to just let him walk. I don’t think the contract he will sign with them averages 10m a year when all is said and done

Tom W

transition tag — big difference. he will get a much smaller long term deal … just bought them some time.
and pitt hasn’t been dominating on defense in a few yrs …. think they are starting to get a tad desperate w their precarious cap situation and aging superstars

Jerry Pomroy

Great minds think alike (see my response above). I don’t think they foresaw him running in and signing before getting a chance to see what the market bared. I think they were willing to let him test the waters & if the price became too high they’d let him walk. But it’s a win situation for them because the OLB FA market is bare & as you stated, bought themselves time more than anything.

Sconces

the difference is Pittsburgh can’t afford an exclusive tag on that position. They still want him though, and Eagles did/do too it looks like

Jerry Pomroy

Transition tag. Very different. I think they were more up in the air on him and wanted other teams to gauge his value and then they’d decide if they were gonna match. But I don’t think they saw him running in and signing that tender without even talking to other teams.

JofreyRice

I hope he’s the kind of guy Roseman is talking about when he implies good players are going to be paid like superstars, and that they don’t want to chase guys like that. I don’t put a ton of creedence into LaCanforna’s report on this one, The guy is right less often than Dutch.

G_WallyHunter

Haven’t seen a Dutch reference in quite some time, upvote for that sir

Token

Hope its true just because it means they arent ruling out high priced guys and Howie is blowing smoke like I figured he was.

What if they dont like Byrd? Didnt Myths McLane report that a few days ago? I wanna hear the reason why.

JofreyRice

They do have some grace with me. Howie did a pretty nice job in a bad draft last year, and Chip was the right hire. I think Howie could have done better in FA, but the team got better, as a whole. I’ll be annoyed if they pass on Byrd and Ward, but I’m going to have to assume that Chip knows something I don’t about those guys as players.

However, if one of those guys plays at an Alll-Pro level for his next team, and whatever mid level guy they pick instead continues to be the wrong answer in the Eagles secondary, I reserve the right to be retroactively pissed. Especially if his rhetoric reflects reality, and they just go for mid-level bums like Jenkins or Kendrick Lewis or something.

Maggie

Yup. Howie did it all by himself, too.

Sconces

“Showed zero until his contract year”
He had the same amount of pass rushing snaps as his first 3 years combined. Obviously well coached in Pittsburgh, not much he could do when Harrison/Woodley are on the roster. 7 sacks in his last 8 games…come on now. He obviously progressed, and I think he would have been a great fit here.

Token

Just go watch him. You will come to the same conclusion.

Sconces

I have, and I didn’t come away with that conclusion

Token

Well I doubt it. But what do you like about his game? What does he excel at to you?

Sconces

you act like I’m a scout, God damn I just like the guy.

Andy124

Yeah, but I think my family room is a little dim. Any suggestions?

Sconces

I’m not understanding your joke

peteike

your username, cmon

Sconces

damn, I take an L for that

Andy124

You still get partial credit for recognizing it was at least an attempt at humor.

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

like him enough for that money though? would he even beat out a kid we draft?
just not worth it, is the general opinion. not saying he’s caseymatthews

Jerry Pomroy

I wasn’t impressed either watching him. And I watched both college and pro. He actually looked very agile, quick & springy in college. Looks kinda stiff & clunky in pros.

Brandon Boykin, OLB

Sheil and Tim,

Is there any way that we could have a little bit of info on this Darian Stewart character? I was reading one of those ESPN INsider articles, and the article mentioned him as a name should the Eagles go stop-gap/batting average with safety again. I looked up some stuff, but you all just do it so so so much better.

Either way, appreciate it guys!

Rick H

Sign Ward or Byrd then trade back in 1st round to a very high 2nd & very high 4th. Then it allows Eagles to draft top Cornerback or highly regarded 3/4 OLB then wide receiver or slipping top Cornerback. Eagles then would have their own 3rd plus high 4th & their own 4th. Lots of ways & lots of choices especially if at pick #22 some team really wants a QB. Add in a good draft pick for Graham ( if that is really what they want to do) then you have another very good pick.

G_WallyHunter

What a read on Avant, holy crap, could have never guessed he came from a past like that. What a trooper, what a fine human being, I want him back

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

saw this rumor on here once; seems PIT isn’t cutting Polamalu, for anyone who wanted him

why wrap up that much money in the safety spot since both will demand top 3 money most likely, wouldnt be that wise.

JofreyRice

Interesting analysis from Lawlor. I don’t know that Byrd has ever been considered a “big hitter” safety–that’s not what he’s supposed to be. He’s the last line of defense and a center fielder. Mark me down as someone that wants that kind of player to be highly tackling efficient (and Byrd is; extremely low missed tackling %, as a pro) and someone that makes sure the ballcarrier is not getting past him, even if he gives up a couple yards in the process.

The start to Byrd’s career compares favorably to Ed Reed, he’s not going to be a Steve Atwater type hitter, coming up into the box and blowing guys apart. I’d be more concerned if Lawrlor had that opinion on TJ Ward.

Jerry Pomroy

If we’re going big, than Byrd is the safety I want. We need a guy that can help over the top of our CBs & get the D off the field. The main reasons why we didn’t do that last year? Our CBs gave up too many 3rd down catches & we lacked a consistent pass rush from the outside.

I like Ward, but I just don’t see him as a guy with the range to cover sideline to sideline.

Token

Ive said I wont cry if Ward is the guy they choose. But It doesnt make a lot of sense to me. Seems like they would be in the same boat they are in now. Having safeties that arent comfortable in space and cant be left alone back there.

Seems like youd still have to stay with the “keep it in front of us” approach on the outside. Couldnt be aggressive as he may want to be.

GEAGLE

I don’t even know what you are talking bout right now. We probably win the saints game if we had Ward. Ward is a really good man to man defender, he just isn’t a centerfielder. Just because you aren’t a centerfielder doesn’t mean you can’t improve our coverage..
Take for example two simple aspects of his game and how much they improve our team:
…
1) Our young puppies playing In a two gap for the first time, played some really good run defense for the better part of 3 months, and they did it with very little help in the run game from the safety position. With Cox,Ced!Logan?Kendrick, won’t be the same players we saw this year, they will all be better, and on first and 2nd Barwin and Cole are really strong against the run, and our CBs tackle. You add Wards run support to our front seven, and we will boast a run defense that most likely ranks somewhere from 6-10 for most of the season…if we have a quality run defense, and a high scoring offense teams will become one dimensional by the second quarter, and that’s typically a when the turnover filled disaster follows..
…
2) How many times should we had 3 and outs, with our base defense getting us Into 3rd and 12 opportunities only to see us blow them because our safeties couldn’t make the tackle short of the first down, when they lined up 25yards back, playing bend but don’t break, keep everyone in front of you and make the tackle? Ward isn’t a centerfielder, but he is the perfect safety to keep defenders in front of them and torpedo their ass short of the first down…
…
Then if we actually improve our pass rush, we become scary!!!
..l
Ward is everything we wished Chung could be:
hard hitter in the run game (Chung was a bad Bill of goods in that aspect)
Good Blitzer, which matters in Bill Davis defense
Another player who can help Barwin defend TEs man to man
The safety who can back up Boykin in Nickle if we need him to..
…
I don’t see why we would rule him out,Billy Davis was in his locker room two years ago and seems to think highly of him…I just don’t see how Chung could have ever appealed to us, but Not Ward? How?

R. Colton’s Wine Glass

Agreed. Byrd OR Ward would give an immediate boost to the position. Safety is the one position I have no opening up the check book for. Enough with the 5 year nonsense of reach picks and mediocrity and go get a proven safety already. Address the pass rush via draft. And for crying out loud, draft a WR that’s over 6 feet and 200 pounds. This is the year to do that.

Tom W

I got attacked numerous times on that site saying we should spend 8-9 mil a year on byrd based on the flawed reasoning he isn’t great like Reed, Troy, Dawkins, but only a good safety. Even Tommy seems to be suggesting that Byrd is not a great safety even though I would argue he is ATLEAST a top 4 safety in the nfl today out of 64 starting safeties (Thomas, Berry, Byrd, whoever else).

Isn’t the arguably weak talent at safety in the nfl attributable to the rule changes helping offenses and higher use of the TEs? I would argue the safeties are the same as they have always been, the game has just changed exposing safeties to better passing games and more talented players who they can’t hit at will.

If we can get byrd for 9 mil a year (or ward to a lesser extent) why are so many eagles fans against it? And don’t give the cap argument because the cap guys here have convinced me that a byrd signing won’t affect our ability to sign foles and and the kids or carry over 10 mil because of growing cap, and natural attrition of older players, and our ability to front load byrds deal. I’m seeing everyone on that site tell me they would rather have jenkins at 5 million(pupu platter free agency) rather than byrd or ward at 9 mil a yr. but if 9 mil is market value (not overpaying like 10 – 11 mil would be) and we are getting a top 4 out of 64 safety (who our coaches freaking know) what is everyone so scared of …. 4 mil a yr … 16 mil total difference between byrd and jenkins???? who the hell cares if we got a perfect fit at safety?? What am I missing??

Maggie

Not disagreeing with you, except for numbers. If Worilds signed for $9.5, even if for only 1 year, how much more will Byrd’s agent try to get? With all the adulation and the apparent scarcity of quality safeties, his price could become totally unrealistic. I just think too many fans, in too many cities, are pinning too many hopes on one player.

Tom W

Different positions — different salary scale — and its the transition tag — so its an average of top 10 salaries at that position. comparing Apples and eggs.

beyond that we are looking at byrd (and to a lesser extent Ward). I’m not pinning my hopes on anything, I am saying just make a reasonable offer. 5 for 43 and 25 mil guaranteed. move up to 5 for 45 and 28 mil if we have to. that is still reasonable and market. if his agent wants 10 we just walk away but no one has given me a reason why we wouldn’t make a reasonable offer hoping Byrd leaves some money on the table from the raiders to play for a winner he knows.

Reasonable offer — why not try? Not saying overpaying. I repeat not saying overpaying. If we gonna spend 5mil a yr to 5.5 mil a yr on jenkins or clemons etc (or 7 on whitner) why not get the best for 3.5 mil more when our cap is and will be fine regardless??????

What are we scared of? That our offer will get beat by the raiders? WTF cares so we get outbid. great then we move on. if anythign you forced another team to overpay and use more cap space. actually a good ploy

Now if colts want him they can overpay for him and are a contender so we may not have a chance.

Maggie

I wasn’t comparing positions. More that at least half of the league wants to upgrade defense, especially at safety and, okay, LB. Getting into a bidding war would be foolish, especially over 1 or 2 players that everybody in the league seems to think will save their franchise. I hope the FO keeps on the way they are, thinking 3 or 4 or 5 years ahead. Looking at the practice squad guys who need replacing, too, for example. Some folks keep wanting to dump half a dozen players who probably will never contribute. Fine, but the team has to find others to replace them, also, not just the starters. The FO has to sign camp bodies, too, within the cap, etc. I would think the FO is already gauging the talent coming out of college, or possible FAs, in 2015 or 2016. Any FO/coaching staff that is only thinking about this year is doomed, to be dramatic about it. Dallas anyone?

Tom W

I don’t understand anything you are saying and I cannot comprehend the argument you are trying to make.

I am not promoting a bidding war. I explicitly tried to explain multiple repetitive times that I just want to make a reasonable offer based on the market of pre-existing contracts (not based on todays free agent market and what a team w a shitload of money is willing to spend.)

So again for the third and last time — I am completely against a bidding war or overpaying for byrd or ward.

I merely want to make them a reasonable offer for where they are ranked in the league .. byrd a top 5 safety and ward a top 15 safety. If they don’t take the reasonable offer …. okay then we move on.

And we aren’t prevented from signing camp bodies or looking to the future at all by signing byrd or ward …. signing x stud safety doesn’t hamper our future maneuvers at all because of the front loading of the contract, we don’t have any bad contracts after next yr, the natural attirtion of older players of the cap (herramins, ryans, williams, cole) in the next 1-3 yrs and the fact that the cap is going up 10 mil, 10 mil and 10 mil in the next 3 years.

So looking at free agents doesn’t stop us or prevent us or hamper us from looking to the future. that is the draft and lesser extent free agency. byrd or ward will be around for 5 years not just next year.

So no I am not promoting a win now strategy nor do I think that one strong signing like byrd or ward is a bad idea only geared at winning this year. its perfectly timed for when we make a superbowl run next year (2015 season) and the following 2 years

Liberty University guy… I liked him too … seems to be eagles are looking at every good corner above 6 ft in the draft …. desir, baptiste, mcgill, aikens, dontae johnson … and the kid from oklahoma …
Am I right though that he was the kid that was VERY grabby at the senior bowl practices?? anybody remember that?

TheCatalyst

I’d be interested in bringing Browner in for camp. Obviously the Seattle defense didn’t miss a step when Browner went out, which is a testament to their coaching and scheme, but I’d like to see what Browner can do out here.

Jerry Pomroy

He’s an FA and teams will be intrigued by his size. Plus he isn’t too shabby a CB. I personally don’t care that he missed a couple of drug tests. He didn’t fail them or any others. So if they want him in camp they’re gonna have to sign him.

anon

It’ll be interesting to see. Remember when CLE was rumored to want to move Josh Gordon and no one wanted him b/c of the suspension issues? That was a mistake — i bet Indy wishes they traded their first for him instead of T. Rich.

Last thing teams want to do is give away assets…

peteike

Couldnt they have just started the FA period on Monday early morning, whats the point of 4pmEST on Tuesday, killin me

http://www.corcommunity.com/ theycallmerob

Saturday through Tuesday is a window allowing agents and teams to talk; thus, by 4pm, deals will already be under works and announced.

I’m sure we’ll have leaks before then

GEAGLE

Don’t think we got leaks last year did we? I recall us just announcing deal after unexpected deal the minute free agency started..

anon

Yeah i remember pounding me head against the desk repeatedly during FA last year.

RIP illa

Pro days also began this week. It just gives team’s FOs and scouting departments a little breathing room so they are not spread thinner than they already are. Also teams can start setting up private workouts, which their respective GMs are usually in attendance. Can’t lock a potential FA signing in a room if you gotta go fly off to a pro day or private workout.

oreofestar

Ah 6 more days better see Byrd is midnight green, or Ward but Byrd is ideal of course when he said he want to play for a team on the rise one that would need him to put them over the top I got excited because I think he was talking bout us

Max Lightfoot

Coffee is for closers, and high-priced defensive free agents like Byrd and Ward are for teams one or two players away from a Super Bowl. We’re not quite there yet. I think we’ll kill in this draft and upgrade in FA into a team that can actually win a playoff game next season. But there are still a lot of holes on D, and depth is paper-thin.

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